Books

Limited releases. Rare first editions with a clean, undamaged cover. Even the author’s signature spiking across one of the first pages. Books are collectible for any number of reasons. They can even help a collection grow, such as a rare book on rare diecast cars or rare collectible bisque dolls. Books collectors look for, among other things, books as art, marginalia or local interests, or a limited printing from a fledgling publisher.

Book collecting is more than a hobby in some parts of the world. It has been an integral part of Chinese history from some two millennia. The tradition began during the early Han dynasty, which spanned 206BC through 220AD, in response to the book burning of the preceding Qin dynasty, which ruled from 221BC to 206BC.